South African Rugby Union (SARU)

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) is the governing body for rugby in South Africa. It is a federation of 14 independent rugby unions covering the length and breadth of the country.

SARU is responsible for the Springboks, Springbok Sevens, Junior Springboks (Under-20s) and Springbok Women’s teams, as well as such domestic competitions as the Currie Cup, the Under-21 and Under-19 competitions and Cell C Community Cup.

With this national scope and influence, a natural relationship with The Players’ Fund was formed, leading to the Fund being identified as the official charity of the Springboks. This is recognized with an annual grant, as well as SARU representation on the Players’ Fund board of trustees.

This ensures that rugby union players in South Africa are never forgotten once unable to participate in the game. The ‘For the Love of the Game” fundraising banquet is an annual event which mobilizes corporate South Africa to play their part in taking care of rugby’s own.

This is made possible by the keen involvement of SA Rugby and the attendance of the full Springbok Squad with their management. An opportunity which is highly sought after in South Africa. This partnership is invaluable and allows the Players’ Fund to continue playing the role of “Rugby’s Caring Hands”.

Tsogo Sun

With 45 years of experience, Tsogo Sun is the leading hotel group in Africa, providing world-class accommodation, restaurants and entertainment across all market segments, with unequaled levels of service to both the local and international traveler.

Tsogo Sun is proud to be associated with the Fund as the Official Hotel and Experience partner.

BokSmart & BokSmart Spineline

BokSmart, the National Rugby Safety programme, is a joint initiative between the South African Rugby Union and the Players’ Fund. The main pillars of the programme are focused on: Injury prevention, injury management, rugby safety and player performance.

Ongoing research is conducted into serious head, neck and spine rugby injuries, which influences medical protocols, intervention strategies (including coach and referee education) and rugby safety related regulations. By providing BokSmart education, protocols and materials through compulsory biennial coach and referee workshops available in all of the provincial rugby unions throughout SA, an operational standard has been established, for player safety, within South African Rugby structures.

The BokSmart Spineline is a dedicated emergency helpline solely for potential serious concussion, head, neck and spine injuries sustained during a rugby match or practice. The 0800 678 678 number will fast track emergency treatment and medical management of the seriously injured rugby player 24 hours per day from anywhere in the country. The toll free number is linked to a National Emergency Service Provider, ER24 who provides the necessary advice, initial telephonic screening, and dispatches or arranges suitable transportation of the injured player to the nearest and most appropriate medical facility. The BokSmart Spineline service and sponsorship does NOT cover any medical costs, only road transport costs for those players without any medical aid, who sustained a head, neck or spine injury during a rugby practice or match, and who have accessed the BokSmart Spineline 0800678678 service directly. Once the injured player has been handed over to the relevant hospital staff, ER24 and the BokSmart Spineline’s job is done! All medical bills, regardless of the players’ medical aid status, are and remain the responsibility of the players and/or their families to settle.

SuperSport

SuperSport is the major funder and broadcast aggregator of sporting content across the African continent on the DStv platform. SuperSport’s holding company is MultiChoice and its ultimate parent company is Naspers, a broad-based multi-national media group.

Supersport have shown support for the Fund over the years by broadcasting the For the Love of the Game Charity Banquet live on Supersport 1 on the night of the event. This major project undertaken by the team at Supersport allows the Fund to build substantial awareness about the work done, as well as create a product with extensive leverage for sponsors.

The QuadPara Association of SA

The QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) is a non-profit organisation (NPO 000-881) which represents Quadriplegics and Paraplegics in South Africa. There is provision for any person to become a member of the organisation. The organisation is predominantly staffed and managed by people with disabilities.

QASA’s mission is to be an effective co-ordinating, policy-making and supporting organisation striving to prevent spinal cord injury and to promote and protect the interests of people with mobility impairments through advocacy, lobbying and delivery of services and products to people with disabilities. With our recipients looking into a future of living with a disability, the network provided by QASA is invaluable and allows for networking and a support base with those in similar positions to themselves.

greenABLE

greenABLE, the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA) and the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund work together to help mend lives and make a difference to people who have suffered severe spinal injury. greenABLE, a non-profit organization which creates employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the disabled.

In addition to improving lives, it makes a solid contribution to improving our environment through the recycling of ink cartridges. greenABLE is part of greenOFFICE, an award-winning company which works towards conserving our country’s natural resources through improving print processes.

Should you wish to be part of the greenABLE project either as an agent or as a company involved in cartridge recycling, please contact Carla on 0860 000 444.

Aurora Hospital

Aurora Hospital is a hospital in the Eastern Cape that specializes in physical rehabilitation and subacute care provided to patients with a wide range of disabilities caused by disease or injury. They have been a leader in rehabilitation care in South Africa for nearly 15 years and are committed towards teamwork, efficiency and innovation.

In early 2009, a young rugby player from Port Elizabeth sustained a spinal cord injury whilst playing for his school team. The damage was extensive and following spinal surgery to stabilise the injury, he required transfer from hospital to a specialist centre that offered rehabilitation. As none were available in the public sector, the Players’ Fund were called upon to try and assist in finding a suitable facility in the Eastern Cape for him to move to in order to learn how to live as a quadriplegic.

It took one phone call to Dr Rob Campbell (Aurora Hospital Director at the time). He suggested that the Players’ Fund arrange a transfer to Aurora for this young man and a 16 week spinal rehabilitation programme was offered to him free of charge.

This most generous arrangement still stands and is offered to one spinal injured rugby player from the Eastern Cape per year. The Players’ Fund are extremely grateful to Aurora for partnering with them and their injured players on a difficult journey that is made more attainable thanks to the multidisciplinary team that prepares them so well for life as a disabled person.

Jenny M Design

With every event and fundraising activity that the Fund holds there is a need for well-designed marketing material. This is essential when trying to appeal to potential donors and sponsors.

To hire a dedicated graphic designer would require funds which are far better used elsewhere, so it is a massive help to have had Jenny Mitchell as part of the Fund’s extended team. Jenny is never been more than a phone call away and has given of her time, talent and patience and put together some beautiful designs from banquet posters and tickets to corporate stationary. You can contact Jenny M Designs at jenny@jennym.co.za or (021) 712 1278.